Celebrate Our Roots

Day One
Morning. Arrive in Decorah. While visiting Iowa’s home of Norwegian charm, tour the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum complex and learn about Norwegian immigrants to the United States. During the last weekend in July your activities here would be at Nordic Fest - a celebration of Norwegian heritage. Lunch is full of Norwegian delights at the museum restaurant.

Afternoon. A beautiful drive down rural roads in Buchanan and Fayette Counties takes you to a simpler life. This large Amish settlement offers lovely scenery, and stops at common Amish shops where you may purchase quilts, leather goods, pastries and preserves. Visit the historic Wapsipinicon Mill in Independence for a peek at ag-processing past. In Cedar Falls the Ice House Museum depicts the now extinct ice harvest through a variety of displays.

Evening. Have fun on the farm with an old-fashioned hayrack ride and barbecue .
Overnight in Waterloo/Cedar Falls.

Day Two
Morning. During an entertaining and informative three-hour tour, an entire tractor will be manufactured before your eyes at John Deere Tractor Works.

Afternoon. Travel along a scenic route through some of the world’s most fertile farm land. Learn the history of a successful agricultural community as you visit the Ray House, a Victorian home on the National Register of Historic Places in Vinton. Next, tour the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School - once attended by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s sister Mary.  A stop at the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids prior to checking into the hotel.

Evening. Enjoy a fabulous ethnic dinner at Zindrick’s in the Czech Village and overnight in Cedar Rapids.

Day Three
Morning. Enjoy rolls and juice at Ushers Ferry, a quaint turn-of-the-century village replica in Cedar Rapids. Experience grandeur with a visit to one of only 18 properties of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the U.S. - a beautiful Queen Anne-style mansion - Brucemore. In Iowa City, visit the last capitol of the Iowa Territory and the first Iowa state capitol, the Old Capitol Museum. Depart to Kalona. At the Kalona Historical Village learn about how Amish and Mennonite cultures cause past and present meet daily. Lunch today is served family style in a Mennonite home.

Afternoon. In Swedesburg, an afternoon snack of Swedish pastry awaits you after your tour of the Swedish American Museum. Travel to Mount Pleasant for a visit to the Midwest Old Threshers Museum where you’ll step back in agricultural time with steam traction engines, antique tractors, implements and tools. A special exhibit discusses women’s contributions to the family farm. For five days ending Labor Day this museum comes to life with the annual Old Threshers Reunion. Step back to the days of opera houses and traveling theater tents as you marvel at the collections of costumes, painted scenery, show posters, trunks and more at the Museum of Repertoire Theatre Americana.

Evening. Travel the scenic route to Fort Madison or Burlington for a relaxing evening in a quaint Inn or Bed and Breakfast.

Day Four
Morning. After breakfast at the hotel, a step-on guide will offer you local notes about the picturesque, historic Villages of Van Buren which are scattered along the original route of the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Enjoy shopping and watching artisans at work in Bentonsport and see the point where Brigham Young and his followers crossed the Des Moines River on their route west. The Fort Madison, Farmington and Western Railroad Rides and Museum offers a fun ride over the river and through the woods on a full-size train. Its recreated village features antique cars, railroad cars and locomotives.

Afternoon. In Fort Madison, take in the beauty of the Mississippi River, the gaiety of the 19th century and the excitement of gaming action aboard Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino. See living history demonstrations and visit with costumed interpreters at the Old Fort Museum.

Overnight in Fort Madison.